Khamenei, IRGC commander killed
PEOPLE HOLD US, Israeli flags and a poster of U.S. President Donald Trump during a rally against Iran's ruling establishment in Los Angeles, California, US February 28, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/JILL CONNELLY) The complexities of Iran's ruling system, the ideological nature of its support base, and the power of its Revolutionary Guards make it hard to predict what might come next. By REUTERS People march after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and U.S. strikes, in Basra, Iraq, March 1, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Aty) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported killed in strikes on Saturday by the US and Israel, which, if confirmed, could throw into jeopardy continued clerical rule in the Islamic Republic. The complexities of Iran's ruling system, the ideological nature of its support base, and the power of its Revolutionary Guards make it hard to predict what might come next. The following explains ...